The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Prickly Poppy

Scientific Names

Prickly Poppy

  • Argemone albiflora L.
  • Poppy family

Common Names

  • Poppy

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Parts Usually Used

Stem juice, seeds, leaves
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Bluish green herb; 2-3 feet tall. If stems or leaves are broken they exude a yellow (or white) juice. Thistle-like leaves and stems with sharp bristles. The white poppy-like flowers with 4-6 petals at least 2 inches wide; May to September.
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Where Found

Found in waste places; scattered. Connecticut to Florida; Texas to Missouri, Illinois.
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Medicinal Properties

Emetic, purgative, demulcent.
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Uses

Seed tea is emetic. Plant infusion used for jaundice, skin ailments, colds, colic, and wounds. Externally used for headaches. Folk remedy for cancers, itching and scabies.
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Warning

The seeds, leaves and stem juice have been used medicinally, but the plant is generally considered poisonous.

This herb contains toxic alkaloids. Seed oil caused glaucoma and edema.

Use under medical supervision.

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Bibliography

Buy It! Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Buy It! Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

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